In the year 1803, a peculiar event unfolded along the shores of Hitachi province in Japan, captivating the locals and sparking debates that continue to intrigue historians and ufologists to this day. The encounter involved a decorated hollow ship carrying a foreign woman with pale skin and red hair, who spoke an unknown language and carried a mysterious box. This enigmatic tale has been documented in three separate manuscripts: Toen Shōsetsu (1825), Hyōryū Kishū (1835), and Ume-no-chiri (1844).
Initially, there were speculations that this account might have been a distorted retelling of a Russian whaling shipwreck. However, thorough investigation by Professor Kazuo Tanaka revealed a deeper, more intriguing narrative. Inspired by American UFO stories and ancient Japanese legends containing references to flying saucers, Tanaka delved into the mystery of the Utsuro-Bune.
Through his research, Tanaka uncovered eleven historical documents detailing the story of Utsuro-Bune, with two specific manuscripts, Mito bunsho and Banke bunsho, providing significant insights into the events of 1803. In “Mito bunsho,” an illustration depicted a woman dressed similarly to a Buddhist statue at Shōfukuji temple in Kamisu, linking the tale to the legend of Princess Konjiki, who purportedly arrived from India in a cocoon-shaped boat and shared the art of sericulture with the locals.
Moreover, the “Banke bunsho” manuscript pinpointed the exact location where the mysterious ship had landed – Hitachihara Sharihama, now known as Hasaki Shirahama in Kamisu. Notably, a colossal monolithic rock formation named Masuda-no-iwafune at Asuka Park bears a striking resemblance to the description of Utsuro-Bune, measuring 36 feet in length, 26 feet in width, and 15 feet in height, with two three-foot square holes adding to its mystique.
As tales of Utsuro-Bune continue to intrigue and perplex enthusiasts of the unexplained, the story of the encounter in 1803 stands as a fascinating intersection of folklore, history, and the enduring mysteries of the unknown. The enigma of the decorated ship and its mysterious passenger from distant lands remains shrouded in intrigue, inviting speculation and wonder for generations to come.
